P068A
ECM/PCM Power Relay De-Energized Performance - Too Early
ECM power supply
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P068A means the engine/powertrain control module detected that its own power relay switched off (de-energized) sooner than expected. That relay keeps the computer powered while it finishes shutting down, so an early drop-out can cause intermittent stalling, hard starting, or an occasional no-start. It usually points to the relay itself, its connections, or the control wiring.
High
Can I keep driving? Risky — the relay feeding the engine computer is dropping out too soon, which can cause intermittent stalling or a no-start; have it diagnosed before relying on the car.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Intermittent stalling, especially at shutdown or key-off
- Hard starting or an occasional no-start
- Check-engine light on
- Electrical dropouts or loss of computer-controlled functions
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty ECM/PCM main power relayLikely
- Corroded or loose relay socket, connector, or groundCommon
- Open or shorted wiring in the relay control circuitCommon
- Failing ECM/PCM (less common)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Inspect the ECM/PCM power relay and its socket; swap in a known-good relay to see if the fault clears.
- Check the relay's power feeds, ground, and connector for corrosion or high resistance.
- Test the relay control wiring between the computer and relay for opens or shorts.
- Monitor system voltage at key-off for an early drop; if wiring and relay are good, suspect the ECM/PCM. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P068A?+
Be cautious. The engine computer's power relay is releasing too early, so the car can stall or fail to restart unexpectedly. Get it diagnosed soon.
Can I just clear P068A?+
You can clear it, but if the relay or its wiring is at fault the problem — and the risk of stalling — will return. Fix the underlying relay circuit.
Related codes
Often seen with P068A
Read & clear P068A yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX